The Atoning Work of Christ
A Sermon on Ephesians 5:2
Originally preached Oct. 12, 1958
Scripture
2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Sermon Description
Christians often talk about the atoning death of Christ when in conversation about spiritual things. It is often mentioned regarding its relation to salvation. However, is it possible that it could mean even more? What is the impact it is supposed to have on the rest of one’s life? In this sermon on Ephesians 5:2 titled “The Atoning Work of Christ,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones instructs on how this verse and Christ’s atonement apply to the lives of believers even after they are saved. The Scriptures are never satisfied with a mere general statement about the love of God— as this verse demonstrates, God’s love is specifically written about in the Bible because the specific acts of God demonstrate His love. A person’s conduct is determined by their doctrine. Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds that “as a man thinks, so is he.” Thus, one’s view of the doctrine of Christ’s atonement will have consequences for the Christian walk. In Christ’s atonement, one gains a clear example of the love of God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that the measure to which one understands God’s love will be the measure to which they show it to others. Paul specifically exhorts loving others as Christ loved them, and Christ loved them completely and unconditionally. Thus, His death on the sinner’s behalf has massive implications for how Christians live after they are saved because if they truly understand what He has done for them, they will share His love in word and deed with others.
Sermon Breakdown
- Christ's love is not vague or general. It is clearly defined in Scripture.
- Our conduct is determined by our doctrine and beliefs. How we think influences how we act.
- The measure of our understanding of Christ's love is how much we manifest that love in our own lives.
- Scripture never leaves God's love as something abstract or theoretical. It gives us the doctrinal definition of Christ's love.
- Christ's love is demonstrated in His voluntary sacrifice of Himself on our behalf. He willingly gave Himself up as an offering and sacrifice to God for us.
- Christ's sacrifice was substitutionary and penal. He took our place and bore the punishment for our sins.
- We cannot truly understand Christ's love apart from believing in the substitutionary and penal doctrine of the atonement.
- Christ's love is demonstrated in that He sacrificed Himself for us while we were still sinners, ungodly, and enemies of God. He did not consider Himself or His own interests.
- We are to walk in love toward others just as Christ loved us by sacrificing Himself for us. We are to love even our enemies and those who persecute us.
Sermon Q&A
Questions and Answers about Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Ephesians 5:2
What is the main Bible verse explored in this sermon?
The main Bible verse explored in this sermon is Ephesians 5:2: "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor." Dr. Lloyd-Jones uses this verse as the foundation for his entire sermon, unpacking its deep theological meaning and practical implications.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones define the way Christians should "walk in love"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones defines "walking in love" as ordering our entire life in the realm of love. He states that "our whole conversation, our whole living, moving, everything we do is to be in this realm and atmosphere of love." He emphasizes that this love is not vague or sentimental but is specifically defined and demonstrated by Christ's sacrificial love. Christians should love even difficult people and enemies, praying for them and seeking their good, just as Christ loved us when we were unlovable.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the ultimate test of Christian profession?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, love is the ultimate test of Christian profession. He references 1 Corinthians 13, noting that all our "professions and claims and activities and everything else have got to be measured by this yardstick of love." He emphasizes that without love, even impressive spiritual gifts, knowledge, faith, or self-sacrifice are worthless. The measure of our true understanding of God's love is the extent to which we manifest this love in our daily lives.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones explain Christ's love as demonstrated in the atonement?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Christ's love is demonstrated through His active, voluntary sacrifice. He emphasizes that Christ "gave Himself up" willingly, not merely passively submitting to cruelty. Christ became our substitute, taking our sins upon Himself and bearing the punishment we deserved. Lloyd-Jones describes how Christ, as the innocent victim, voluntarily put Himself in our place, receiving our punishment. This substitutionary, penal aspect of the atonement reveals the depths of God's love.
Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say the Bible never leaves the love of God as "something vague and general"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that the Bible always defines God's love specifically and concretely rather than leaving it as a vague sentiment. He criticizes the "loose talk" in churches where people claim to be interested in love but not doctrine. He emphasizes that without proper doctrinal understanding of God's love as demonstrated in Christ's substitutionary sacrifice, we cannot truly comprehend or appreciate it. The Bible defines God's love through specific actions and sacrifice, not merely as an abstract concept.
What does the phrase "sweet smelling savor" mean in relation to Christ's sacrifice?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the phrase "sweet smelling savor" means that Christ's sacrifice was pleasing and satisfactory to God. He references Genesis 8:20-21 where Noah's sacrifice produced a "sweet savor" that pleased God. Similarly, Christ's offering on the cross "came up into the presence of God as something that pleased him, that satisfied him, something that gave him joy and pleasure." It indicates that God was fully satisfied with Christ's sacrifice, which met all the demands of His holy law.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones connect doctrine and behavior in the Christian life?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that doctrine and behavior are "indissolubly linked together, and they must never be separated." He states that "in the Christian life, doctrine and behavior are indisolubly linked together" and that "as a man thinks, so he is." Our conduct is always determined by our doctrine or thinking. He argues that it's impossible to talk about Christian conduct without doctrine, and that when people neglect doctrine, it becomes evident in their lives. True doctrine should lead to proper behavior.
What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones say about the substitutionary nature of Christ's death?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones strongly affirms the substitutionary nature of Christ's death, explaining that Christ died "in our stead, in our room, in our place." He emphasizes that Christ's sacrifice was "vicarious" and "substitutionary," with Christ becoming "the victim on whose head our sins were laid." He cites numerous biblical references to support this, including Isaiah 53, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24, and Galatians 3:13. He states that no one truly understands God's love who doesn't accept the "substitutionary and penal doctrine of the atonement."
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe those whom Christ loved and died for?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes those whom Christ loved and died for as "ungodly," "sinners," "enemies of God," "vile," "ugly," "foul," and "hateful." He emphasizes that there was "nothing in us to recommend it, nothing to draw it, nothing to attract it." He quotes from Ephesians 4 where Paul describes people as walking "in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God." This underscores the extraordinary nature of Christ's love - that He loved those who were completely undeserving.
What practical application does Dr. Lloyd-Jones draw from Christ's sacrificial love?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes that we should imitate Christ's sacrificial love by not considering ourselves - our rights, innocence, feelings, comforts, or ease. Just as Christ gave Himself for the undeserving, we should love even difficult or objectionable people. We should pray for our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and feel genuine concern for their spiritual welfare. He emphasizes that this kind of love is only possible for Christians who have been born again and have a new nature and life.
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.